Backpack with top-side inflexible protective case

ABSTRACT

A backpack includes a compartment defined in a backpack body thereof, and an inflexible protective case joined to an inner surface of a top wall of the compartment and suspending in a top side inside an internal chamber of the compartment so that the lower side of the internal chamber is maintained free for storing things. The inflexible protective case has a top opening facing toward the inner surface of the top wall of the compartment. A zipper opening is provided in the top wall in communication with an accommodation chamber of the protective case so that the user can access the inside space of the inflexible protective case through the zipper opening to store eyeglasses or mobile phone in the inflexible protective case or to take it out of the inflexible protective case.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (a) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to luggage technology and more particularly to a backpack with top-side inflexible protective case, which allows the user to directly place an eyeglasses or mobile phone in the inflexible protective case through the top wall of the backpack body.

(b) Description of the Prior Art

Many backpacks are known. U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,447 discloses a portable, variable capacity backpack that includes a resealable storage compartment and shoulder harness means for enabling the storage compartment to be carried on the back of a user. Thus, a user can store books, laptop, mobile phone, wallet, pencil case, eyeglasses, mobile power supply device, keys, kettle, and many other personal items in the storage compartment and carry the backpack on the back for outdoor travel or adventures. However, since this design of portable, variable capacity backpack provides only one single storage compartment for storing a variety of personal items, it is difficult to find out one particular object from the various items stored therein. Further, collisions between stored items can occur when the user is walking, thus leading to damages to stored items, such as crushed eyeglasses or scratched mobile phone.

Thus, backpacks with one or multiple independent small compartments are created for keeping eyeglasses and/or mobile phone. U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,252 discloses a motorcycle bag. In FIG. 7 of this patent, the motorcycle bag includes an organizer for storing various travel items such as keys or eyeglasses. However, since the organizer is hidden deep in the inner bottom side of the backpack, the user needs to open the zipper of the motorcycle bag and then open the organizer for storing or taking out eyeglasses or mobile phone. It is inconvenient to use the organizer. Further, US20100108730 and US20060289590 disclose the arrangement of a flexible secret compartment for storing eyeglasses. However, the flexible secret compartment cannot protect the stored eyeglasses against impact, and the stored eyeglasses can be damaged easily upon an impact. US20030230701 discloses a structure for hanging mobile phone, eyeglasses case or other objects. However, hanging this hanging structure from the backpack negatively affects the outer appearance of the backpack.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. The backpack according to the present invention comprises a compartment defined in a backpack body thereof, and an inflexible protective case joined to an inner surface of a top wall of the compartment and suspending in a top side inside an internal chamber of the compartment. By “inflexible” it is meant that the protective case does not change its shape under normal usage of the backpack, namely, the protective case is substantially rigid so that it will not bend or cave in to press on the items stored therein. The inflexible protective case has a top opening facing toward the inner surface of the top wall of the compartment that provides a zipper opening in the top wall in communication with the accommodation chamber of the protective case. Thus, the user can access the inside space of the inflexible protective case through the zipper opening to place his/her eyeglasses or mobile phone in the inflexible protective case or to take it out of the inflexible protective case. Further, the lower side of the internal chamber is maintained free for storing personal items.

Preferably, the inflexible protective case is a one-piece plastic case joined to the compartment and suspending in the top side inside the internal chamber of the compartment for storing and protecting the user's eyeglasses or mobile phone.

Preferably, a connection fabric is provided, having a first side thereof extending around and bonded to the peripheral wall of the inflexible protective case and a second side stitched to the fabric over the top wall of the compartment to hold the inflexible protective case firmly in the backpack.

Preferably, the inflexible protective case is configured to provide a cable hole in one side of the peripheral wall in communication between the internal chamber of the compartment and the accommodation chamber of the inflexible protective case. Thus, a mobile power supply device can be placed in the internal chamber of the compartment, and the power cable of the mobile power supply device can be inserted through the cable hole into the inside of the accommodation chamber for connection to a mobile phone that is received in the inflexible protective case.

Other advantages and features of the present invention will be fully understood by reference to the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference signs denote like components of structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a backpack with top-side protective case in accordance with the present invention is shown.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a part of the backpack of the present invention, illustrating the top wall of the compartment when opened.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a part of the backpack of the present invention, illustrating the inflexible protective case affixed to the inner surface of the top wall of the compartment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a part of the backpack of the present invention, illustrating the inflexible protective case affixed to the inner surface of the top wall of the compartment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a backpack with top-side protective case in accordance with the present invention is shown. As illustrated, the backpack comprises a backpack body 10 made of flexible fabrics, leather or composite material by stitching and defining therein a compartment 11, and one or two shoulder straps 12 located at a front side of the backpack body 10. The compartment 11 comprises a top wall 111, two opposite sidewalls 112, a back wall 113, an internal chamber 114 surrounded by the top wall 111, the sidewalls 112 and the back wall 113, and a first zipper opening 13 made in the top wall 111 and extended to the two opposite sidewalls 112 and disposed in communication with the internal chamber 114 (see FIG. 2). Further, as illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, an inflexible protective case 20 is joined to an inner surface of the top wall 111 of the compartment 11 and suspended in a top side inside the internal chamber 114 of the compartment 11. The inflexible protective case 20 has a top opening 21 (see FIG. 4) facing toward the inner surface of the top wall 111. The border edge of the top opening 21 is joined to the inner surface of the top wall 111. Further, a second zipper opening 30 is located in the top wall 111 of the compartment 11, and disposed in communication with an accommodation chamber 22 in the inflexible protective case 20 through the top opening 21. Thus, the user can open the second zipper opening 30 in the top wall 111 of the compartment 11 to put eyeglasses or mobile telephone in the accommodation chamber 22 inside the inflexible protective case 20. On the contrary, the user can also take the eyeglasses or mobile telephone out of the accommodation chamber 22 of the inflexible protective case 20 via the second zipper opening 30, facilitating the storage and removal of the eyeglasses or mobile phone. Further, the space of the internal chamber 114 of the compartment 11 beneath the inflexible protective case 20 is maintained free and accessible through the first zipper opening 13 (see FIG. 2) for storing personal items.

Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the inflexible protective case 20 is preferably a one-piece inflexible plastic case, having a bottom wall 23 and a peripheral wall 24 extending around the border area of the bottom wall 23. The side of the inflexible protective case 20 opposite to the bottom wall 23 forms the top opening 21. More specifically, the inflexible protective case 20 is an inflexible plastic case that exhibits a substantially U-shaped cross section formed by a vertical plane parallel to the peripheral wall 24. Thus, the border edge of the top opening 21 of the inflexible protective case 20 is joined to the inner surface of the top wall 111 of the compartment 11.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 again, the border edge of the top opening 21 of the inflexible protective case 20 can be joined to the inner surface of the top wall 111 of the compartment 11 by means of the example described hereinafter. The top wall 111 of the compartment 11 is made of a fabric; a connection fabric 40 is provided, having a first side 41 extending around and bonded to the inner (or outer) surface of the peripheral wall 24 of the inflexible protective case 20 and then fixedly stitched thereto with stitches 50, and a second side 42 stitched to the fabric of the top wall 111.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 again, a cable hole 25 is located in one side of the peripheral wall 24 of the inflexible protective case 20 and disposed in communication between the internal chamber 114 of the compartment 11 and the accommodation chamber 22 of the inflexible protective case 20. Thus, a mobile power supply device (not shown) can be placed in the internal chamber 114 of the compartment 11, and the power cable of the mobile power supply device can be inserted through the cable hole 25 into the inside of the accommodation chamber 22 for connection to a mobile phone (not shown) that is received in the inflexible protective case 20. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A backpack, comprising: a backpack body; a compartment defined in the backpack body, the compartment comprising an internal chamber, a top wall disposed above said internal chamber, a first zipper opening located in said top wall in communication with said internal chamber; an inflexible protective case joined to an inner surface of said top wall of said compartment and suspending in a top side inside said internal chamber, said inflexible protective case comprising a top opening facing toward the said inner surface of said top wall of said compartment and joined at the periphery thereof to the said inner surface of said top wall of said compartment; and a second zipper opening located in said top wall in communication with said accommodation chamber of said inflexible protective case via said top opening of said inflexible protective case.
 2. The backpack as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inflexible protective case is a one-piece plastic case, comprising a bottom wall, a peripheral wall extending around said bottom wall, and a top side disposed opposite to said bottom wall and defining said top opening.
 3. The backpack as claimed in claim 2, wherein a cross section of said inflexible protective case formed by a vertical plane parallel to said peripheral wall has an essentially U-shape.
 4. The backpack as claimed in claim 1, wherein said top wall is made of a fabric.
 5. The backpack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the periphery of said top opening is joined to the said inner surface of said top wall of said compartment such that an enclosed space is formed between the periphery of said top opening and said inner surface of said top wall.
 6. The backpack as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a connection fabric, said connection fabric having a first side thereof extending around and bonded to said peripheral wall of said inflexible protective case and a second side stitched to said fabric of said top wall.
 7. The backpack as claimed in claim 6, wherein said first side of said connection fabric is further affixed to said peripheral wall of said inflexible protective case with stitches.
 8. The backpack as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inflexible protective case has a cable hole located in one side of the peripheral wall and disposed in communication between said internal chamber of said compartment and said accommodation chamber of said inflexible protective case. 